Blanks for manufacture of regid folding hinge-lid box and method to attach ribbon thereto

ABSTRACT

Blanks and a ribbon attachment means for manufacturing a folding ridged hinged-lid box for purposes of housing a moveable and ejectible supply cartridge that may be used to dispense consumer items such as cosmetics, toothbrushes, pencils, product packaged in vials, and the like. A unitary box blank including a separate and integral inner-frame blank in communication therewith, wherein after setting up, the interior surfaces of said box and inner-frame provide a flat edge plane track for the free movement of a cartridge down to the very bottom of the box without crashing with the bottom inside edge of the closure flap. A box blank that includes a finger-like tab extension acting as glued strip locking and reinforcement mechanism upon being folded over from the outside in, and over the upper inside edge of the of the box juncture strip, upon gluing and setting-up. An inner-frame that has an opening to allow a ribbon end to pass through making said ribbon accessible from the exterior wall of the box, wherein the opposite end of said ribbon is connected or locked into place on the inside closure flap of the top lid of said separate hinged-lid box blank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to blanks used to create set-up folding boxes more specifically for the assembly of a rigid folding set-up hinged-lid box with a separate integral inner-frame blank and includes a method to attach a ribbon thereto for use in engaging any moveable type of cartridge included within the box. Existing folding box and inner-frame blanks are typically made up of die cut paper board, plastic sheet material, film or the like with a thickness range of 10 to 12 points thereby making them flimsy and highly disposable. Present manufactured folding boxes designed to eject a cartridge do not have flush inside plane at the inside bottom area where the closure flap “clicks into place for locking.” Additionally, existing methods connect ribbons to boxes designed to eject cartridges by use of tapes and glues. The subject of this invention includes a box blank of with a thickness greater than 14 points, preferably in the range of 18 to 24 pts, having a cut or opening located at the center part of the folded edge of the top lid flap, wherein a ribbon is slid in and, and after pulling, is locked into place at the opposite end point where a “larger than the hole” piece of material is securely attached to said ribbon. The integral inner-frame blank is inserted into the folded box blank to provide a communicative edge for the hinged-lid to remain tightly closed. Said inner-frame blank has a rectangular cut or opening located at the top center of its exposed area, said inner-frame area being just above the frontal bottom edge of the box blank visible upon flipping the top backwards, whereby the free end of the already attached ribbon would pass through to extend outside of the walls of the box. In use, a person would grip and pull the exposed ribbon that would be located beneath a supply cartridge within the box, and affixed or locked into the top part of the box, thereby ejecting a said cartridge enclosed within the box.

The subject of this invention including a rigid folding box blank, an integral inner-frame, and an improved ribbon attachment method thereto, is created to provide a superior, better functioning, and longer lasting hinged-lid box for the purpose of ejecting a supply cartridge.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the formation of a hinge-lid box a typical manufacturer will use expensive equipment that sequentially die cuts, folds, glues, and packages product included therein. Moreover, the cigarette companies use high tech robotic machinery that incorporate cigarettes into a “flip-top” box simultaneously with its set-up in production; this is not available to small entrepreneurs. There are, of coarse, other forms and blanks used to manufacture a hinged-lid box but none of such blanks are suitable for housing a supply cartridge moveable by a ribbon means.

Representative of such prior art methods, structures, assemblies, etc. include the following U.S. Patents:

The U.S. patent to Knaack, U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,869, is directed towards a folding box with an adhesively affixed inner casing. Walsh, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,714, discloses hinged-lid box with a re-closable feature to keep product from pouring out. The patent to Frock, U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,842, comprises a Z-shaped fold at the front of the box to form a collar. Dixon, U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,722, provides a reclosable carton with a locking tongue-like tab protruding from the front edge of the hinged-lid. De la Rocha, U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,056, provides a package to dispense cosmetic article including a cartridge therein. Favre, U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,084, reflects an apparatus for dispensing cosmetics biased by a spring and locking mechanism.

While it is assumed that the structures of the types disclosed above are operable for their intended function, it is obvious that there still exists a need for improved blanks to form a hinged-lid box created specifically for housing a moveable supply cartridge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to blanks used to produce a set-up folding box with an integral inner-frame and a method to attach a ribbon thereto. Said blanks are typically made up of die cut paper board or plastic sheet material consisting of acrylic, acetate, polyester, or the like. The blank forming the rigid hinged-lid box includes a rectangular or oval shaped hole or opening at the center of the closure flap of the top lid, for receiving the free end of ribbon that is attached on the opposite end to a wad or piece of material, greater than the size of the hole, to keep it from slipping through when pulled and falling into a locked position. The folding box blank has a tab at the bottom edge that slides into the bottom closure flap as a locking mechanism upon setting up the box. The bottom leading closure flap side edge of the box blank, that is tucked into the box upon sealing, has an angled-cut corner that is designed to be on the same plane with the opposite interior, layered strip of the box blank edge, where the glued strip makes contact with the rear wall, upon folding in; such forms a flat plane whereby a cartridge could be pushed down touch said floor part at the bottom of the box without being squeezed-in or crashing with any protruding edge of the bottom closure flap.

Another feature associated with the subject box blank is a finger-like tab at the top rear edge of the box that is designed to be folded over and inside of the leading edge of the box juncture strip, where the box is glued together, upon set-up. This finger-like tab is critical to function of the box folding blank in that it acts as a back-up locking mechanism that keeps the back edge of the box from separating from the upper and outer part of the top edge of the hinged lid when opened and closed repeatedly. It should be know that box blanks produced in 18 points or thicker paper board such as solid bleached sulfate, SBS, tend to separate at the top seam of the box upon opening and closing the hinged lid repeatedly due to a couple of reasons. First thick paperboard is less pliable than thin paperboard thereby producing more tension for an easy flip back, then forward of the top hinged part; next, the folding box blanks may not be glued all the way up to the top edge of the box juncture strip due to equipment production limitations that stop spraying or rolling on glue upon reaching an eighth of an inch away from the lip edge. In simpler terms, without this new feature, the rigidity of the back box wall would overpower the glued strip edge, thereby allowing for a separation if the finger-like reinforcing and locking tab were not included. It is contemplated that these blanks will be made of substantially thicker paper board, plastic sheet, film or a like type of material allowing the product to have a longer and useful life than those presently in the market.

The inner-frame blank is integral to the box blank in that it provides a communicative means for the top hinge-lid to lock into place. Additionally, the inner-frame includes a rectangular or oval type hole whereby the distal free end of a ribbon would pass through and protrude outward for the user to grasp and pull in a fashion to eject a cartridge.

The improved method of attaching the ribbon to the box consists of two parts, the first of which is attaching a wad or piece of material to one end of the ribbon by means of stapling, riveting, or sewing. Next, the free and unattached opposite distal end of the ribbon is passed through a pre-die cut rectangular or oval shaped hole located at the center part of the top insert edge flap of the lid closure until locked or stopped into place. The material or wad to be attached to said ribbon could be paper board, plastic, leather, suede, or the like. This now leaves a free-end that is passed through another rectangular or oval type hole located at the top center of the inner-frame area that is visibly located behind and above the front bottom edge of the hinged-lid box when maintained in an open position.

It should be apparent, therefore, that these blanks and method for attaching a ribbon to a hinged-lid box is new and useful and offers the advantages over existing methods and folding box blanks on the market today.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank foldable sheet material with crease lines, tabs, cuts, and an opening from which a folding hinged-lid box may be formed,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank foldable sheet material with crease lines and an opening from which the integral inner-frame may be formed,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view with parts broken away showing the assembled blanks and the bottom exposed interior area of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view in partially exploded form showing the assembled folding box blank and integral inner-frame inserted therein forming a rigid hinged-lid box and the method that the ribbon is attached thereto.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing interior structural features of the box blank, top finger-like tab, and an alternative method to attach the ribbon to the box.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention relates to blanks used to create set-up folding boxes more specifically for the assembly of a folding set-up hinged-lid box with an inner-frame that includes a method to attach a ribbon thereto for use in engaging any moveable type of cartridge included within the box.

FIG. 1 illustrates a single flat die-cut blank for a hinged-lid folding box including a contiguous foldable finger-like tab 18 extension at the upper rear corner edge of the blank that is foldable over onto the adjoining box strip 3 at the top edge 39 of said adjoining strip after gluing upon setting up. This tab further reinforces the glued adjoining strip of the hinged lid that tends to separate when opening and closing a rigid box repeatedly. Said blank includes an aperture 23 consisting of a rectangular or oval type hole at the top center lid closure flap 1 area just below the fold line 44 for receiving a ribbon. Additionally, observe in FIG. 3 that a locking tab 21 is inserted into an opening 20 located on center just above the fold on the bottom closure flap 4 for final closing of box at bottom, upon set-up. FIG. 1 also illustrates an angle cut in the blank at the top edge of the lid closure flap 33 designed to facilitate closure of the top and to provide an angled inside edge after folding to minimize the separation between the opening and closing occurring from the over layering of the finger-like tab 18. Said folding box blank also comprises an angled cut 31 at the bottom edge of the juncture strip that after set-up forms a flat plane with bottom edge 32 inserted closure flap 4 of the box making for a flat interior edge plane, which can be best viewed in FIG. 5, area 62, whereby a cartridge could easily float down to the bottom without crashing into a bottom closure flap layered edge that is presently exists with the audible click bottom closure system in set-up boxes.

FIG. 2 shows a die-cut blank making up the integral inner-frame part of the box. Said inner-frame blank includes an aperture consisting of a rectangular or oval type hole 51 located at its top center part just above the communicating box blank opening wall edge 25, best seen in FIG. 3, designed to receive the distal free end 58 of the ribbon, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, after affixing the opposite end to the top lid closure flap 1 at the opening 23 that is located just above the fold line 44 on the top lid closure flap 1. The inner-frame is also designed with an angle cut at the bottom edge 52 to facilitate insertion into box after setting up.

FIG. 4 reflects a preferred method to attach a ribbon 56 to the hinged-lid box blank. The first step of this method requires the firm attachment of one end of a ribbon to a wad or sheet of material 55 such as by a staple 54, followed by inserting the distal free ribbon end 58 into the opening 23 from the underneath or inside part of the top closure flap to the outside part of the box when closed. FIG. 5 shows an alternative method of attaching the ribbon 60 to the hinged-lid box blank that entails the insertion of one end of the ribbon into opening 23 of the top lid closure flap 1, followed by stitching 61 the ribbon together just beyond the lip of the top closure flap, area 59, forming a closed loop thereby leaving a free distal end 58 that is dropped inside of the assembled box and inner-frame blanks and pulled out through the inner-frame opening 51 for communication with the outside of the box. The assembled box blanks and ribbon attachment means are now ready for use in field of ejecting hinged-lid box preparations.

FIG. 5 also shows the inner workings of the rigid hinged-lid set-up box including the flat plane made at the bottom interior rear wall edge area 62 between the adjoining strip 3 and the bottom tucked closure flap 4. FIG. 5 sectional view also shows the position of the finger-like tab 18 being folded over the top edge inward and over the adjoining glued strip top edge for purposes of keeping said such glued box juncture from separating from the top rear edge 38 at the corner during opening and closing of the rigid hinged-lid box.

FIG. 3 shows the blanks described in FIGS. 1 through 5 after being folded, glued, and set up, having a broken front wall 7 showing the where the angle-cut adjoining box strip edge 3 and bottom closure flap corner edge 32 meet at the bottom of the back wall forming a flat edge plane where a cartridge could be pushed down to the bottom of the box without crashing with a layered bottom tucked closure flap. As disclosed in the abstract portion of this application, these blanks are for manufacturing a folding ridged hinged-lid box for purposes of enclosing a moveable and ejectible cartridge used to house consumer items such as cosmetics, toothbrushes, product packaged in vials, and the like.

FIG. 1 also reflects a single perforation cut 19 on the adjoining glued strip edge that minimizes resistance at this folding point of the box that is caused by double layering of rigid paperboards.

With these blanks and method of attaching a ribbon thereto, manufacturers can now insert a cartridge, right on top of the ribbon, push it down into the box, close the box, re-open the box, pull the ribbon out which would thereby move the cartridge upward for easy access to any products contained therein. Said cartridge may enclose consumer items such as, but not limited to, cosmetics, pencils, vials filled with liquid or powder substances, tooth brushes or the like.

Now that the invention has been described, 

1. Blanks for manufacturing a folding ridged hinged-lid box including a die cut box blank and an integral inner-frame blank therein, along with a method to attach a ribbon to said box blank, for the purpose of housing a movable supply cartridge, said blanks and method of attaching a ribbon thereto comprising: a) a rigid hinged-lid box blank, FIG. 1, comprised of a die cut sheet material such as paperboard, plastic, film or the like having a rectangular hinged-lid or flip-top portion 12, 8, 11 and successive surface areas defining front 7, top 2, bottom 17, back 6 and side walls 9, 10 and laterally projecting lid side flaps 13, 14 and lid closure flap 1, bottom closure flap 4, bottom projecting side flaps 15, 16, a bottom locking tab 21, and adjoining strip 3 b) an integral inner-frame blank, FIG. 2, comprised of die cut sheet material such as paperboard, plastic, film or the like having a front wall 47, two side walls 48, 49 wherein the front wall has an opening 51 for a ribbon to pass there through c) a method to attach a ribbon means to said box blank wherein one end of a ribbon is firmly attached to a wad or piece of material 55, FIG. 4 and the other end 58 of said ribbon is slid into a hole type slot located at the center section of the top lid closure flap 23 of said rigid hinged-lid box blank and pulled until falling into a stopped position d) an alternative method to attach a ribbon, FIG. 5, whereby one end of the ribbon is inserted and slid through a hole type slot 23 located at the center section of the top lid closure flap 1, then wrapped around said closure flap and sewn or stitching 61 together to form a closed loop 59 attachment means
 2. A rigid hinged-lid box blank as in claim 1 wherein said blank has a finger-like tab 18 extending from the corner back wall of said blank that is foldable “over-and-in” on top of the juncture folded strip edge 39 that is glued after set-up.
 3. A rigid hinged-lid box blank as in claim 1 wherein said blank provides angled-cut side edges at the top closure flap 33 and on the edge of the opposite bottom floor closure flaps 32 and
 46. 4. A rigid hinged-lid box blank as in claim 1 and claim 3 wherein said bottom angled-cut closure flap edge is on the same plane, after folding, with the inside glued strip edge thereby forming a flat interior edge plane track, FIG. 5,
 62. 5. An integral inner-frame as in claim 1 including an opening 51 at the center of the top exposed and visible section, FIG. 3, after insertion into set-up box blank, whereby a ribbon end passes through.
 6. A rigid hinged-lid box blank as in claim 1 including an opening located at the center of the top lid closure flap 23, for receiving a ribbon with an attachment thereto as made in claim
 7. 7. A ribbon as in claims 1 with one end firmly affixed to a wad or flat piece of material 55, FIG. 4, with a dimension greater than the opening 23 in claim
 6. 8. Blanks, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, as in claims 1 and formed of die cut sheet material consisting of solid bleached sulfate or chip board.
 9. Blanks as in claims 1 and 8 formed of a sheet material with a thickness range of 18 to 24 points.
 10. A blank according to claims 1 and 2 wherein said adjoining box edge 3 runs up and down the back wall edge of the box upon folding and gluing wherein said adjoining box edge 3 is on the same plane as the bottom tucked in closure flap
 4. 11. A rigid hinged-lid box blank as in claim 1 wherein said blank has a single perforation cut 19 on its adjoining box edge as in claim 10 at the crease line 5, after juncture, that the hinged lid folds back.
 12. A rigid hinged-lid box blank and integral inner-frame blank as in claim 1, a method of attaching a ribbon thereto as in claims 6, 7, formed, configured, and dimensioned to house a moveable supply cartridge.
 13. An integral inner-frame as in claim 1 and 5 having an angled cut on the bottom corner
 52. 14. A rigid hinged-lid box blank as in claims 1 and 6, wherein the top lid closure flap 1 is inserted and has communication with the back wall 5 of the box and further applies pressure to the finger-like tab 18 in claim 2 to maintain a locked position.
 15. A method to attach a ribbon to a rigid hinged-lid box blank as in claim 1 wherein said ribbon is attached to a wad, claim 7, consisting of rectangular piece paperboard and is further affixed thereto by a staple 54, FIG.
 4. 16. A method to attach a ribbon to a rigid hinged-lid box blank as in claim 1 wherein said ribbon is stitched 61, FIG. 5, together just outside the end edge of the top closure flap to form a closed loop, 59 with thread including cotton or polyester. 